Internet message communicator with direct output to a hard copy device

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses an apparatus for a global network communicator including an application-specific communications device suitable substantially only for global network communications and including a global network application specific user interface network protocol processing circuitry operative for communication with the global network and for formatting data to a required protocol employed by the global network and for translating data received from the global network to a format acceptable to the user interface a communication line interface interconnecting the network protocol processing circuitry to the global network and including logical and physical interface apparatus and modulation and demodulation apparatus for information transmitted to the global network and information received from the global network respectively and network access activation circuitry for initiating communication between the communicator and the global network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to communicators specificallyconfigured for global network applications.

[0002] 1. Background of the Invention

[0003] In recent years, personal computers have become common fixturesin many offices and homes. With the advent of widespread consumer accessto the Internet and other global networks, the personal computer hasbecome inter alia a communicator.

[0004] Nevertheless, there remains a substantial portion of the generalpopulation which could benefit from access to the Internet and whichdoes not have access to a personal computer or for whom the use of apersonal computer is not convenient or necessary.

[0005] 2. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a global networkcommunicator which avoids limitations inherent in general purposecomputers useful inter alia for this purpose.

[0007] There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention a global network communicator including anapplication-specific communications device suitable substantially onlyfor global network communications and comprising:

[0008] a global network application specific user interface;

[0009] network protocol processing circuitry operative for communicationwith the global network and for formatting data to a required protocolemployed by the global network and for translating data received fromthe global network to a format acceptable to the user interface;

[0010] a communication line interface interconnecting the networkprotocol processing circuitry to the global network and includinglogical and physical interface apparatus; and

[0011] network access activation circuitry for initiating communicationbetween the communicator and the global network.

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the communication line interface may include modulation anddemodulation apparatus for information transmitted to the global networkand information received from the global network respectively.

[0013] The term “global network” as used herein is intended to refer tonetworks such as Internet, Compuserve and the like and to similarnetworks which may come into existence in the future.

[0014] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the global network communicator may comprise apparatus forautomatically operating the network access activation circuitry atpredetermined times.

[0015] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention an automatic dedicated network communicationsdownloader comprising:

[0016] communications circuitry including a network port arranged to becoupled to a network and a hard copy output port arranged to be coupledto a hard copy output device, the communications circuitry including:

[0017] polling apparatus for automatically polling a network via thenetwork port to determine the presence of an incoming message for auser, and

[0018] output apparatus for automatically downloading an incomingmessage and outputting the incoming message via the hard copy outputport to the hard copy output device.

[0019] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention a communications system comprising:

[0020] a network having a plurality of user ports;

[0021] a plurality of user stations; and

[0022] a hard copy output device;

[0023] at least one of the plurality of user stations comprising anautomatic dedicated network communications downloader comprising:

[0024] communications circuitry including a network port arranged to becoupled to the network via a user port and a hard copy output portarranged to be coupled to the hard copy output device, thecommunications circuitry including:

[0025] polling apparatus for automatically polling a network via thenetwork port to determine the presence of an incoming message for auser, and

[0026] output apparatus for automatically downloading an incomingmessage and outputting the incoming message via the hard copy outputport to the hard copy output device.

[0027] There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention an automatic dedicated networkcommunications downloading method comprising:

[0028] providing communications circuitry including a network portarranged to be coupled to a network and a hard copy output port arrangedto be coupled to a hard copy output device;

[0029] automatically polling a network via the network port to determinethe presence of an incoming message for a user, and

[0030] automatically downloading an incoming message and outputting theincoming message via the hard copy output port to the hard copy outputdevice.

[0031] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention a communications method comprising:

[0032] providing a network having a plurality of user ports;

[0033] providing a plurality of user stations at least one of whichhaving associated therewith a hard copy output device and an automaticdedicated network communications downloader comprising communicationscircuitry including a network port arranged to be coupled to the networkvia a user port and a hard copy output port arranged to be coupled tothe hard copy output device;

[0034] automatically polling a network via the network port to determinethe presence of an incoming message for a user, and

[0035] automatically downloading an incoming message and outputting theincoming message via the hard copy output port to the hard copy outputdevice.

[0036] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the automatic polling includes establishing communication withthe network via a predetermined service provider.

[0037] There is further provided in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention a communications system comprising:

[0038] a network having a plurality of user ports; and

[0039] a facsimile machine connected to one of the plurality of userports,

[0040] an automatic dedicated network communications downloaderassociated with the facsimile machine and comprising:

[0041] communications circuitry including a network port arranged to becoupled to the network via the user port connected to the facsimilemachine and a hard copy output port coupled to the facsimile machine,the communications circuitry including output apparatus forautomatically downloading an incoming message and outputting theincoming message via the hard copy output port to the facsimile machine.

[0042] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the downloader may also include polling apparatus forautomatically polling a network via the network port to determine thepresence of an incoming message for a user.

[0043] There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention an automatic dedicated networkcommunications downloading method comprising:

[0044] providing communications circuitry including a network portarranged to be coupled to a network and via a user port connected to afacsimile machine and a hard copy output port coupled to the facsimilemachine; and

[0045] automatically downloading an incoming message and outputting theincoming message via the hard copy output port to the facsimile machine.

[0046] The method may also include the step of automatically polling anetwork via the network port to determine the presence of an incomingmessage for a user.

[0047] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention a communications method comprising:

[0048] providing a network having a plurality of user ports;

[0049] providing a plurality of user stations at least one of whichhaving associated therewith a facsimile machine and an automaticdedicated network communications downloader comprising communicationscircuitry including a network port coupled to the network via a userport and a hard copy output port coupled to the facsimile machine; and

[0050] automatically downloading an incoming message and outputting theincoming message via the hard copy output port to the facsimile machine.

[0051] The method may also include automatically polling a network viathe network port to determine the presence of an incoming message for auser.

[0052] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the automatic polling includes establishing communication withthe network via a predetermined service provider.

[0053] There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention a combination global networkcommunicator and facsimile machine comprising:

[0054] a facsimile machine adapted to be connected to a telephonenetwork via a telephone line including:

[0055] a hard copy output device; and

[0056] an automatic dedicated network communications downloaderassociated with the hard copy output device and comprising:

[0057] communications circuitry including a network port arranged to becoupled to a network via the telephone line connected to the facsimilemachine and a hard copy output port coupled to the hard copy outputdevice, the communications circuitry including output apparatus forautomatically downloading an incoming message received from the networkand outputting the incoming message via the hard copy output port to thehard copy output device.

[0058] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the downloader may also include polling apparatus forautomatically polling the network via the network port to determine thepresence of an incoming message for a user.

[0059] There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention apparatus for automatic electronicdata entry via a global network comprising:

[0060] an application-specific communications device suitablesubstantially only for global network communications and comprising:

[0061] a global network application specific user interface;

[0062] network protocol processing circuitry operative for communicationwith the global network and for automatically formatting data to arequired protocol employed by the global network and for automaticallytranslating data received from the global network to a format acceptableto the user interface;

[0063] a communication line interface interconnecting the networkprotocol processing circuitry to the global network and includinglogical and physical interface apparatus and modulation and demodulationapparatus for information transmitted to the global network andinformation received from the global network respectively; and

[0064] network access activation circuitry for initiating communicationbetween the communicator and the global network.

[0065] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention apparatus for dedicated off-line communicationof voice messages over a global network comprising:

[0066] an application-specific communications device suitablesubstantially only for global network communications and comprising:

[0067] a global network application specific user interface including avoice transducer;

[0068] a voice-data converter for converting between analog voice anddigital data representing voice;

[0069] network protocol processing circuitry operative for communicationwith the global network and for automatically formatting digital datarepresenting voice from the voice-data converter to a required protocolemployed by the global network and for automatically translating digitaldata representing voice received from the global network to a formatacceptable to the voice-data converter;

[0070] a communication line interface interconnecting the networkprotocol processing circuitry to the global network and includinglogical and physical interface apparatus and modulation and demodulationapparatus for information transmitted to the global network andinformation received from the global network respectively; and

[0071] network access activation circuitry for initiating communicationbetween the communicator and the global network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The present invention will be understood and appreciated morefully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe drawings in which:

[0073]FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustration of an automaticdedicated network communications downloader constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0074]FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustration of an automaticdedicated data entry device for use with a global network whichconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0075]FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustration of an off-linevoice message communicator constructed and operative in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0076]FIG. 4 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially blockdiagram illustration of a facsimile machine incorporating a networkdownloader subsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0077]FIG. 5 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially blockdiagram illustration of a modem incorporating a network downloadersubsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0078]FIG. 6 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially blockdiagram illustration of PBX equipment incorporating an off-line voicemessage communicator constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0079]FIG. 7 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially blockdiagram illustration of a telephone incorporating an off-line voicemessage communicator constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0080]FIG. 8 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially blockdiagram illustration of a telephone answering device incorporating anoff-line message communicator in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0081] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified blockdiagram illustration of an automatic dedicated network communicationsdownloader constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The communications downloaderpreferably comprises a scheduling unit 10, which activates a networkaccess activation unit 12 at predetermined times or with a predeterminedfrequency. The downloader of FIG. 1 may also have an uploadingfunctionality.

[0082] The network access activation unit 12 includes apparatus requiredto activate or initiate a connection to a global network. This apparatustypically includes an automatic dialer and login device. The schedulingunit 10 typically includes a clock which activates the operation ofactivation unit 12.

[0083] The network access activation unit 12 typically actuates anetwork protocol processing unit 14 which is responsible forcommunications with the global network. The network protocol processingunit 14 typically is operative to format data to be sent along thenetwork into the required network protocol and to translate receiveddata into a format useful ultimately by a user in hardcopy form.

[0084] Network protocol processing unit 14 interfaces with acommunication line interface unit 16, which preferably provides thelogical and physical interface to an external communication line. Itpreferably includes a modulator for modulating signals being transmittedalong the communication line and a demodulator for demodulating signalsreceived along the communication line.

[0085] Network protocol processing unit 14 also preferably interfaceswith a user interface unit 18, which is operative to input usercommands. The user interface unit 18 may include a complete keyboard andalphanumeric display but may be as simple as a single push button and asingle display element.

[0086] Communication line interface unit 16 preferably communicates withan external communication line via a line switching unit 20, which isalso coupled to a hard copy output device, such as a printer. The lineswitching unit 20 connects the downloader either to the global networkor to the hard copy device depending on the current mode of itsoperation. Typically the scheduling unit 10 determines network pollingtimes during which the line switching unit 20 couples the communicationline interface unit 16 to the global network via the externalcommunication line. When hard copy printing is required, the lineswitching unit 20 connects a hard copy output device to a hard copyinterface unit 22. Alternatively, the line switching unit 20 may beeliminated in favor of permanent connections to both the externalcommunication line and the hard copy output device.

[0087] The hard copy interface unit 22 is operative to provide logicaland physical interface to the hard copy output device, including allnecessary hand-shaking and hardcopy device protocol management. Hardcopy interface unit 22 receives an activation input from a hardcopyactivation unit 24 and an information input from a hard copypre-processing unit 26, which may interface with a memory 28, which mayinclude a system program and database as well as messages to be sentand/or received messages. Memory 28 is preferably a non-volatile,rewritable memory.

[0088] Hard copy pre-processing unit 26 may also receive information tobe output directly from the network protocol processing unit 14 or viathe user interface unit 18.

[0089] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, network protocol processing unit 14 may be coupled to acomputer interface 30, such as an RS 232 interface which enablesinterconnection with a general purpose computer, such as a personalcomputer (not shown), for the purpose of uploading or downloadinginformation respectively to or from the general purpose computer.

[0090] It is a particular feature of the present invention that thedownloader of the present invention requires substantially no computerliteracy on the part of the user and may be entirely automatic andunattended in its operation. The simplicity and low cost of thedownloader provide utility for global network message download whetheror not general purpose computer facilities are available.

[0091] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified blockdiagram illustration of an automatic dedicated data entry device for usewith a global network which is constructed and operative in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The communicationsdownloader preferably comprises a scheduling unit 110, which activates anetwork access activation unit 112 at predetermined times or with apredetermined frequency.

[0092] The network access activation unit 112 includes apparatusrequired to activate or initiate a connection to a global network. Thisapparatus typically includes an automatic dialer and login device. Thescheduling unit 110 typically includes a clock which activates theoperation of activation unit 112.

[0093] The network access activation unit 112 typical actuates a networkprotocol processing unit 114 which is responsible for communicationswith the global network. The network protocol processing unit 114 isoperative to format data to be sent along the network into the requirednetwork protocol and to translate received data into a format usefulultimately by a user.

[0094] Network protocol processing unit 114 interfaces with acommunication line interface unit 116, which preferably provides thelogical and physical interface to an external communication line. Itpreferably includes a modulator for modulating signals being transmittedalong the communication line and a demodulator for demodulating signalsreceived along the communication line.

[0095] Network protocol processing unit 114 also preferably interfaceswith a user interface unit 118, which is operative to input usercommands. The user interface unit 118 may include complete keyboard andalphanumeric display but may be as simple as a single push button and asingle display element.

[0096] User interface unit 118 and network protocol processing unit 114interface with a data formatting unit 120 which is operative to formatdata to be sent along the global network into the exact format requiredby a recipient on the network. This enables the recipient toautomatically enter the received data into an electronic database andautomatically to send messages back to the user via the device. Dataformatting unit 120 is preferably also operative to unformat or reformatdata or other messages received along the network from a transmitterinto the format which is compatible with user interface unit 118, so asto eliminate the need for user manipulation of the data.

[0097] Data formatting unit 120 may interface with a data memory 122,which may include a system program and database as well as messages tobe sent and/or received messages. Memory 28 is preferably anon-volatile; rewritable memory.

[0098] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified blockdiagram illustration of an off-line voice message communicatorconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0099] The off-line voice message communicator preferably comprises ascheduling unit 210, which activates a network access activation unit212 at predetermined times or with a predetermined frequency.

[0100] The network access activation unit 212 includes apparatusrequired to activate or initiate a connection to a global network. Thisapparatus typically includes an automatic dialer and login device. Thescheduling unit 210 typically includes a clock which activates theoperation of activation unit 212.

[0101] The network access activation unit 212 typically actuates anetwork protocol processing unit 214 which is responsible forcommunications with the global network. The network protocol processingunit 214 is operative to format data to be sent along the network intothe required network protocol and to translate received data into aformat useful ultimately by a user.

[0102] Network protocol processing unit 214 interfaces with acommunication line interface unit 216, which preferably provides thelogical and physical interface to an external communication line. Itpreferably includes a modulator for modulating signals being transmittedalong the communication line and a demodulator for demodulating signalsreceived along the communication line.

[0103] Network protocol processing unit 214 also preferably interfaceswith a user interface unit 218, which is operative to input usercommands. The user interface unit 118 may include a complete keyboardand alphanumeric display but may be as simple as a single push buttonand a single display element. The user interface unit 218 includes atleast one audio transducer, such as a speaker/microphone.

[0104] User interface unit 218 and network protocol processing unit 214interface with a voice converter unit 220 which is operative to convertanalog signals from the microphone in the user interface unit 218 intodigital form for storage in a voice storage memory 222. Unit 220 is alsooperative to convert digital data stored in memory 222 or received overthe communication line into analog signals to drive a speaker in theuser interface unit 218. This digital data may be voice data oralternatively text data which is converted by the voice converter unit220 into voice data. Unit 220 also is operative to format digital datacorresponding to voice input at user interface unit 218 to the properformat required for transferring the voice data along the globalnetwork.

[0105] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified blockdiagram of a facsimile and network downloader system constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The system of FIG. 4 is preferably located within the housing300 of a conventional fax machine, such as those manufactured and soldby Ricoh of Japan. Some of the circuitry of FIG. 1, collectivelyreferred to as an automatic download circuit 302, is included withinhousing 300. Automatic download circuit typically includes a schedulingunit 310, a network access activation unit 312, a message memory 314, auser interface 316, a network protocol processing unit 318 and acommunication line interface unit 320, whose functionality is similar tothat described hereinabove in connection with FIG. 1 and is suitable foroperation in the context of an otherwise conventional facsimile machine.

[0106] The hard copy output of the hard copy pre-processing unit 328 ispreferably coupled to a facsimile processor board 322 of the facsimilemachine, which couples it to a print head 324 of the facsimile machine.The global network output of unit 320 may be connected in parallel withthe conventional connection of the facsimile machine to a telephoneline, via a conventional telephone line jack 326, forming part of thefacsimile machine.

[0107] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a partially pictorial,partially block diagram illustration of a modem incorporating a networkdownloader subsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The system of FIG. 5 is preferably located within thehousing 400 of a conventional modem, such as those manufactured and soldby Ricoh of Japan. Some of the circuitry of FIG. 1, collectivelyreferred to as an automatic download circuit 402, is included withinhousing 400. Automatic download circuit typically includes a schedulingunit 410, a network access activation unit 412, a user interface unit414, a network protocol processing unit 416, a communication lineinterface unit 418, a line switching unit 420, a message memory 422, ahard copy pre-processing unit 424, a hard copy interface unit 426 and ahard copy activation unit 428, whose functionality is similar to thatdescribed hereinabove in connection with FIG. 1 and is suitable foroperation in the context of an otherwise conventional modem.

[0108] The hard copy output of the line switching unit 420 is preferablycoupled to an external printer and the global network output of unit 420may be connected in parallel with the conventional connection of themodem to a telephone line, via a conventional telephone line jack 426,forming part of the modem. The network protocol processing unit 416 iscoupled to the computer port 430 of the modem.

[0109] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified partiallypictorial, partially block diagram illustration of PBX equipmentincorporating an off-line voice message communicator constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Some of the circuitry of FIG. 3, collectively referred to asa message communicator 502, is included within a PBX housing 500.

[0110] Message communicator 502 typically includes a scheduling unit510, a network access activation unit 512, a user interface unit 514including a microphone and/or speaker, a network protocol processingunit 516 and a communication line interface unit 518, whosefunctionality is similar to that described hereinabove in connectionwith FIG. 3 and is suitable for operation in the context of an otherwiseconventional PBX.

[0111] The message communicator 502 also preferably comprises a voiceconverter unit 520, which is coupled to the PBX circuitry, and a voicestorage memory 522, which is coupled to unit 520.

[0112] The global network output of unit 518 may be connected inparallel with the conventional connection of the PBX via a telephoneline to a global network. The network protocol processing unit 516 iscoupled to the computer port 530 of the PBX.

[0113] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified partiallypictorial, partially block diagram illustration of a telephoneincorporating an off-line voice message communicator constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Some of the circuitry of FIG. 3, collectively referred to asa message communicator 602, is included within a telephone housing 600.

[0114] Message communicator 602 typically includes a scheduling unit610, a network access activation unit 612, a user interface unit 614including a microphone and/or speaker, a network protocol processingunit 616 and a communication line interface unit 618, whosefunctionality is similar to that described hereinabove in connectionwith FIG. 3 and is suitable for operation in the context of an otherwiseconventional telephone. Alternatively the microphone and/or speaker maybe those which already exist in a conventional telephone.

[0115] The message communicator 602 also preferably comprises a voiceconverter unit 620 which is coupled to the telephone circuitry and avoice storage memory 622, which is coupled to unit 620.

[0116] The global network output of unit 618 may be connected inparallel with the conventional connection of the telephone via atelephone line to a global network. The voice converter unit 620 is alsocoupled to a telephone processing unit 630 of the telephone.

[0117] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified partiallypictorial, partially block diagram illustration of a telephone answeringdevice incorporating a network downloader subsystem in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Some of the circuitry ofFIG. 3, collectively referred to as a message communicator 702, isincluded within a telephone answering device housing 700.

[0118] Message communicator 702 typically includes a scheduling unit710, a network access activation unit 712, a user interface unit 714including a microphone and/or speaker, a network protocol processingunit 716 and a communication line interface unit 718, whosefunctionality is similar to that described hereinabove in connectionwith FIG. 3 and is suitable for operation in the context of an otherwiseconventional telephone answering device.

[0119] The message communicator 702 also preferably comprises a voiceconverter unit 720, which is coupled to the telephone answering devicecircuitry, and a voice storage memory 722, which is coupled to unit 720.

[0120] The global network output of unit 718 may be connected inparallel with the conventional connection of the telephone answeringdevice via a telephone line to a global network.

[0121] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that thepresent invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the claims which follow:

1. A global network communicator including an application specificcommunications device suitable substantially only for global networkcommunications and comprising: a global network application specificuser interface; network protocol processing circuitry operative forcommunication with the global network and for formatting data to arequired protocol employed by the global network and for translatingdata received from the global network to a format acceptable to the userinterface; a communication line interface interconnecting the networkprotocol processing circuitry to the global network and includinglogical and physical interface apparatus and modulation and demodulationapparatus for information transmitted to the global network andinformation received from the global network respectively; and networkaccess activation circuitry for initiating communication between thecommunicator and the global network.
 2. A global network communicatoraccording to claim 1 and also including apparatus for automaticallyoperating the network access activation circuitry at predeterminedtimes.
 3. An automatic dedicated network communications downloadercomprising: communications circuitry including a network port arrangedto be coupled to a network and a hard copy output port arranged to becoupled to a hard copy output device, said communications circuitryincluding: polling apparatus for automatically polling a network via thenetwork port to determine the presence of an incoming message for auser, and output apparatus for automatically downloading an incomingmessage and outputting the incoming message via the hard copy outputport to said hard copy output device.
 4. A communications systemcomprising: a network having a plurality of user ports; a plurality ofuser stations; and a hard copy output device; at least one of saidplurality of user stations comprising an automatic dedicated networkcommunications downloader comprising: communications circuitry includinga network port arranged to be coupled to said network via a user portand a hard copy output port arranged to be coupled to said hard copyoutput device, said communications circuitry including: pollingapparatus for automatically polling a network via the network port todetermine the presence of an incoming message for a user, and outputapparatus for automatically downloading an incoming message andoutputting the incoming message via the hard copy output port to saidhard copy output device.
 5. An automatic dedicated networkcommunications downloading method comprising: providing communicationscircuitry including a network port arranged to be coupled to a networkand a hard copy output port arranged to be coupled to a hard copy outputdevice; automatically polling a network via the network port todetermine the presence of an incoming message for a user, andautomatically downloading an incoming message and outputting theincoming message via the hard copy output port to said hard copy outputdevice.
 6. A communications method comprising: providing a networkhaving a plurality of user ports; providing a plurality of user stationsat least one of which having associated therewith a hard copy outputdevice and an automatic dedicated network communications downloadercomprising communications circuitry including a network port arranged tobe coupled to said network via a user port and a hard copy output portarranged to be coupled to said hard copy output device; automaticallypolling a network via the network port to determine the presence of anincoming message for a user, and automatically downloading an incomingmessage and outputting the incoming message via the hard copy outputport to said hard copy output device.
 7. A method according to claim 6wherein the automatic polling includes establishing communication withthe network via a predetermined service provider.
 8. A communicationssystem comprising: a network having a plurality of user ports; and afacsimile machine connected to one of the plurality of user ports, anautomatic dedicated network communications downloader associated withthe facsimile machine and comprising: communications circuitry includinga network port arranged to be coupled to said network via the user portconnected to the facsimile machine and a hard copy output port coupledto said facsimile machine, said communications circuitry includingoutput apparatus for automatically downloading an incoming message andoutputting the incoming message via the hard copy output port to saidfacsimile machine.
 9. A system according to claim 8 and wherein saidapparatus for automatically downloading includes polling apparatus forpolling a network via the network port to determine the presence of anincoming message for a user.
 10. An automatic dedicated networkcommunications downloading method comprising: providing communicationscircuitry including a network port arranged to be coupled to a networkand via a user port connected to a facsimile machine and a hard copyoutput port coupled to said facsimile machine; and automaticallydownloading an incoming message and outputting the incoming message viathe hard copy output port to said facsimile machine.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 10 and also comprising the step of automaticallypolling a network via the network port to determine the presence of anincoming message for a user.
 12. A communications method comprising:providing a network having a plurality of user ports; providing aplurality of user stations at least one of which having associatedtherewith a facsimile machine and an automatic dedicated networkcommunications downloader comprising communications circuitry includinga network port coupled to said network via a user port and a hard copyoutput port coupled to said facsimile machine; and automaticallydownloading an incoming message and outputting the incoming message viathe hard copy output port to said facsimile machine.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 12 and also comprising automatically polling anetwork via the network port to determine the presence of an incomingmessage for a user.
 14. A method according to claim 13 and wherein thestep of automatically polling includes establishing communication withthe network via a predetermined service provider.
 15. A combinationglobal network communicator and facsimile machine comprising: afacsimile machine adapted to be connected to a telephone network via atelephone line including: a hard copy output device; and an automaticdedicated network communications downloader associated with the hardcopy output device and comprising: communications circuitry including anetwork port arranged to be coupled to a network via the telephone lineconnected to the facsimile machine and a hard copy output port coupledto the hard copy output device, said communications circuitry includingoutput apparatus for automatically downloading an incoming messagereceived from said network and outputting the incoming message via thehard copy output port to the hard copy output device.
 16. Apparatusaccording to claim 15 and wherein the output apparatus for automaticallydownloading includes polling apparatus for automatically polling thenetwork via the network port to determine the presence of an incomingmessage for a user.
 17. Apparatus for automatic electronic data entryvia a global network comprising: an application-specific communicationsdevice suitable substantially only for global network communications andcomprising: a global network application specific user interface; avoice-data converter for converting between analog voice and digitaldata representing voice; network protocol processing circuitry operativefor communication with the global network and for automaticallyformatting data to a required protocol employed by the global networkand for automatically translating data received from the global networkto a format acceptable to the user interface; a communication lineinterface interconnecting the network protocol processing circuitry tothe global network and including logical and physical interfaceapparatus and modulation and demodulation apparatus for informationtransmitted to the global network and information received from theglobal network respectively; and network access activation circuitry forinitiating communication between the communicator and the globalnetwork.
 18. Apparatus for dedicated off-line communication of voicemessages over a global network comprising: an application-specificcommunications device suitable substantially only for global networkcommunications and comprising: a global network application specificuser interface including a voice transducer; a voice-data converter forconverting between analog voice and digital data representing voice;network protocol processing circuitry operative for communication withthe global network and for automatically formatting digital datarepresenting voice from the voice-data converter to a required protocolemployed by the global network and for automatically translating digitaldata representing voice received from the global network to a formatacceptable to the voice-data converter; a communication line interfaceinterconnecting the network protocol processing circuitry to the globalnetwork and including logical and physical interface apparatus andmodulation and demodulation apparatus for information transmitted to theglobal network and information received from the global networkrespectively; and network access activation circuitry for initiatingcommunication between the communicator and the global network.